Indonesia to ban social media use for children under 16

ISTANBUL

Indonesia on Friday announced that it will prohibit children under the age of 16 from using social media.

Communications Minister Meutya Hafid said the measure will take effect on March 28 and that “children under 16 years old can no longer have accounts on high-risk digital platforms.”

The decision is being taken “for the future of Indonesian children,” Meutya said on the US social media company X.

With the move, Indonesia becomes the second country to restrict children’s access to social media after Australia, which passed a similar law last December that was considered the world’s first.

According to Meutya, the rollout will occur “gradually, beginning with platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox,” citing threats in the digital space, including pornography, cyberbullying, online scams, and digital addiction.

“We understand that this step may cause initial discomfort. However, the government cannot stand idly by when the future of children is at stake. The government ensures that the responsibility for child protection lies with the platforms managing the digital space, so that parents do not have to face these challenges alone,” she said.

“Technology must humanize humanity, not sacrifice our children's childhood,” Meutya added.